Giannopolous concerned new Fayette prison may adversely impact flight operations
A member of the Fayette County Airport Authority Board is fearful that officials are not considering that the planned county Justice and Rehabilitation Center (JRC) will be within the approach flight path of a runway at the Joseph A. Hardy/Connellsville Airport.
Myrna Giannopolous, a long-time member of the authority board, said that she and others have concerns that the airspace over the Mount Braddock Road parcel where the new lockup is to be located is within an approach flight path of Runway 14/32.
“The county has yet to come before the board and discuss (the plans for the new prison),” she said. “The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not allow for a place of congregation to be built within a flight path.”
A state Department of Transportation airport planner said that the proposed correctional facility might be within the approach flight path of the local airport, but whether the JRC could be considered a risk to pilots utilizing the airport runway will be at the discretion of the FAA.
The Dunbar Township-based airport is about 3,300 feet from the planned location of the JRC.
Depending upon the elevation of the ground and the height and precise location, it could be deemed a hazard, said Russell L. Jones, transportation department planner for the western portion of the state.
“(The planned JRC) appears to be in the approach path of Runway 32,” he said Monday. “I’ve seen some preliminary maps, but whether it is will be determined by the FAA.”
An approach to a runway is an imaginary trapezoidal area that pilots use to align the aircraft as it nears the paved landing area.
“It has to be clear to get to the end of the runway,” said Jones.
While the state oversees much of the operation of local airports, the FAA must sign off on new construction or alteration to an existing building that is considered to be within the flight path of the airport.
Planners are required to notify the FAA of such plans.
“The FAA has jurisdiction of the airport regarding structures,” said Jones, adding that he is unaware of any plans that have been submitted by Crabtree Rohrbaugh and Associates of Mechanicsburg or Sleighter Engineering Inc. of Uniontown to the FAA on behalf of the county. “The FAA will make a determination as to whether it would be a hazard or not and, if it is, offer recommendations.”
The two firms have been hired by the county to design the new lockup on a 61-acre parcel along Mount Braddock Road.
Commission Chairman Al Ambrosini said that a preliminary verbal conversation has taken place with the airport engineering firm, and he is convinced that the construction of the JRC will not be a hazard to incoming aircraft.
“The JRC is expected to be about 20 to 22 feet in height,” he said. “Given the elevation of the ground and the height of the building, I do not believe it will be at the same grade of any of the runways at the airport.”
Ambrosini, who is also a pilot and flies into and out of the local airport, said that he is well aware of the location of the proposed JRC and the airspace to approach the runaway.
“This is not in the flight path,” he said.
Rob Sleighter, president of Sleighter Engineering, said Tuesday that the activity at the prison will be similar to that taking place in the surrounding area.
In addition to the airport, the proposed prison site is within the proximity of an active industrial park, Laurel Mall, restaurants and other businesses and residences.
“The activities at the prison will not adversely impact the airport,” he said, adding that the firm will be submitting the appropriate documentation to the FAA for its review.
Giannopolous, meanwhile, said that if the county proceeds with the current plans and the correctional facility is located within the flight path, it could result in the closure of the runway.
“If the runway is shut down, it would be detrimental to the airport; it would impact our funding because it would decrease the size and capabilities of the airport,” said Giannopolous. “The board should have this information.”
Ambrosini said that in addition to supporting the JRC project, he is also an advocate for the airport.
“The airport is a viable asset to the community,” he said. “I want it to thrive and grow, as it will be an economic tool for the county as we move ahead with developing our county.
“I would not jeopardize the operation of the airport.”